United set to reveal new airlines deal

Manchester United are poised to provide proof that their name is still an attractive proposition despite the recent gloom around the club.

Although club officials are refusing to comment, it seems United are ready to announce another sponsorship deal, this time with growing airline Turkish Airlines.

The three-year contract will see United adopt Turkish Airlines as their official carrier, replacing Air Asia, and could be confirmed by the Old Trafford club later this week.

Turkish Airlines have already announced a similar contract with Barcelona, which is reportedly worth approximately £2.7m (€3.1m) a year to the Catalan giants.

United would hope expect to attract at least the same given their huge fan base, confirming that commercially they remain in good shape.

In the accounts released by their parent company Red Football yesterday, sponsorship income had grown 48% in the past 12 months and that figure did not include the £80m (€92m) shirt deal with American finance giant Aon which takes effect next season.

That figure is dwarfed though by the massive debt, which has now risen to £716.6m (€823m).

The attempt to finance has caused consternation among supporters, who fear star names such as Wayne Rooney will have to be sold, or the club’s training ground at Carrington and iconic Old Trafford stadium, to meet the crippling repayments.